Fenylalanin (Phe) er en essensiell aminosyre som støtter hjernefunksjon og humør. Den er nødvendig for produksjonen av proteiner og nevrotransmittere, inkludert dopamin, som påvirker mental velvære. Fenylalanin kan fås fra matvarer som kjøtt, fisk, meieriprodukter og soyaprodukter.
Testing for phenylalanine levels can be particularly important for individuals with metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria (PKU), where phenylalanine processing is impaired. It’s also beneficial for people experiencing symptoms like fatigue, depression, or skin disorders, as phenylalanine is crucial for neurotransmitter production and skin health.
Phenylalanine is found in high-protein foods like beef, poultry, pork, and fish. Dairy products, eggs, and soy products also contain significant amounts. For plant-based diets, nuts, seeds, and legumes are good sources, though the concentration is typically lower than in animal proteins.